Reputable breeders work to minimize the possibility that your dog will have a genetic disease but you should be aware of the potential cost for fixing some of these problems.
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Hip Dysplasia (one hip) $1000-$4000 for diagnosis and surgery
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Elbow Dysplasia (one elbow) $1000-$4000 for diagnosis and surgery
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Entropion $1000-$2000 for surgery to correct eyelid problem (can lead to blindness if left uncorrected, sometimes takes multiple surgeries)
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Sub-aortic Stenosis $800 for diagnosis and $3500 or more for heart surgery
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von Willebrand's $65 for blood test prior to surgery and $100 for transfusion if vWD positive
The real costs of a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy
The initial cost involved in obtaining a Bernese depends on from whom or where you buy your dog.​ Prices for Bernese Mountain Dog puppies range from around one thousand upwards to several thousand dollars. In today's market (2020) expect to pay at a minimum $2000.00 - $3500.00 (US funds) for a well-bred pup.
DON'T FALL FOR SLICK SALES PITCHES or GET RIPPED OFF BY PROFITEERS or PET STORES that charge puppy buyers the same price for Berner pups as conscientious breeders! Price is not necessarily a reflection of quality nor does it reflect the upfront and ongoing services offered by the breeder you might think are essential at the time of purchase or those you could potentially desire later. Purchase cost is only a small portion of what it will cost you to maintain your
dog from day to day. Think about how much disposable income you have to
Can you afford to buy and care for a Berner?
spend on dog food. Add costs for training classes and routine veterinary care. Does the disposable income you plan to use for your dog affect other things you might want to do with your family or children, like vacations or providing your child with unique enrichment activities?
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Would it be important to you in determining that you could afford to care for a Berner if your dog developed a catastrophic illness or was affected by an inherited condition that required a lifetime of medications or an expensive medical procedure? Some medications and dietary supplements for a dog of size can run into several thousand dollars a year. If a special diet was indicated for your dog due to allergies or a medical condition that affected the kind of food the dog could tolerate ask yourself - is that extra expense doable?
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When considering costs, ask yourself whether the breeder of your dog has done everything possible to provide you with a pup that has the best chance of living a life free from debilitating illness. Then ask yourself how you will handle unplanned for expenses that might come up in relationship to owning a Bernese, because that possibility exists. Pet insurance might be worth looking into.
Why are Bernese Mountain Dog puppies so expensive to buy?
It can cost the reputable breeder a significant amount of money to produce a well-bred puppy.
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Genetic testing of the mother:
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Elbow & Hip x-rays $150 - $450+
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CERF (eye test) $35
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Heart test $40 - $300
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von Willebrand's test $99
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Degenerative Myelopathy test $65
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DNA profiling $40
Ensuring that the mother meets the breed standard:
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Training for dog shows
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Grooming supplies and equipment
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Championship $500 - $3000
Medical support to get the mother pregnant and whelp a litter:
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Stud fees
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Multiple blood tests
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Likely C-section
Raising a litter for the first 8 weeks:
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Equipment (whelping box, baby bottles, enrichment toys, laundry detergent, etc.)
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Veterinary care (dew claw removal, de-worming, vaccinations, illness, etc.)
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Planning a breeding and raising litters includes many other real costs, and costs in time and emotional efforts. Little things add up quickly. For conscientious breeders, money is not made on puppies. You'd wonder why a person would spend so much time and invest so much money in breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs. Conscientious breeders do it to try to produce better and healthier Berner puppies.
Normal first year costs for owners:
Food $200 - $1200
Veterinary care:
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Checkups and vaccines $150 - 250
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Fleas, heartworm preventives $80
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Neuter/spay $80 - $250
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Oh no, he's limping! $25 - $800
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Egad, he ate my panty hose! $25 - $2500
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He's scratching! $25 - $500
License, AKC, local, microchip $50
Obedience class $75
Supplies: $150 - $500
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Dog bowls, leash, collars, unused dog bed, baby gate, etc.
Toys (trust me) $50 - $500
Replacement for chewed rug/chair/etc $?
New vacuum $150 - ?
Better air conditioning/more servicing $?
Fencing $200-$5000
New car for big dogs $?
New house with bigger yard $?
